Keychron Q8 review: A high-quality ergonomic keyboard

A glance

Expert assessment

Positives

• Unique Alice design
• Amazing build quality
• Simple customization

Our judgment

Keychron’s Q Series continues to impress in quality and customization. Now, it comes in the popular Alice design. This is a great choice if you are looking for an ergonomic design with beautiful typography and lots of features.

Today’s Best Deal: Keychron Keyboard Q8

Fun fact: Nobody really understands the work environment. There aren’t any universally accepted guidelines for help, aside from common sense advice like “get up occasionally” and “don’t bend over your computer like Gollum licking your fish guts”. Everyone is unique and everyone is different. You should keep using what is good for you.

This is the Keychron Q8. This design features all the same elements that the premium Q keyboards from Keychron (See our review of the Q5) and its application to the famous Alice layout, Appeared in many boutiques. This system of keys gives the keyboard a curve as in many claimed ergonomic designs. However, they are compatible with standard MX switches and a variety keycap combinations.

Michael Kreider/IDJ

It’s that simple. Keychron’s premium design Chips make the Q8 keyboard extremely versatile and user-friendly. If you are in the latter group, you will appreciate the Keychron Q8’s low price for all it offers. Also, it is one of the few Alice keyboards that you can purchase without waiting.

List of Laundry Features

The Keychron Q8 features all of the Q series’ other members. It features a large, heavy-duty aluminum body, foam gaskets that allow for quiet typing, customizable hot switches, RGB lighting, high quality PBT keycaps, and a screw-in stabilizer. You’ll find a braided USB C to C cable, a C to-A adapter, pullers, keycaps and switches pullers, as well as extra foam gaskets for additional padding. The keyboard supports the common QMK or VIA standards for programming its lights and keys.

Michael Kreider/IDJ

This latter option will likely be required for new users of Alice’s layout. This modified version is more user-friendly and includes useful extras such as full arrow keys, volume turntable, and full arrow keys. However, you may want to modify things like how the function layer activates, or what the turntable controls do.

Learning curve

We should also mention that this keyboard can be difficult to get used to. It’s easier for me than many users because I was in the middle school writing class. Despite my love for mechanical keyboards, my actual typing style was terrible. I learned touch typing after years of hunting and clicking at 40 WPM. About 70% of my keypresses came from my dominant left.

Michael Kreider/IDJ

I find it difficult to adapt to a split layout. This is not just about taking into consideration the QWERTY area’s slight tilt. I have to force myself into correct typing, keeping my fingers on classic home page rows. Otherwise my index finger tries and fails to bridge the gap at the middle. In truth, I can only stand for around an hour before I have to go back and do my work.

Michael Kreider/IDJ

This is a problem that I see as a “me” issue. The only problem with this Alice layout is that it does not make enough space for the Arrow set. It also ignores the right Alt and Ctrl keys. People who write in a more traditional style and have their fingers not wander over horizontal key combinations as much as a cartoon mouse on the piano will find it easier to adjust. This is doubly true for those who already use a split or ergonomic design.

Keychron also makes a slightly larger version with the same layout but with a functional class. It’s called Q10.

Best writing in its category

The Keychron Q8 is as good as its stablemates, with the exception of a small layout issue. Tinkerers have the freedom to add any type or switch to any of the individual switches. They can also program fun actions, excitement, lighting via firmware, VIA and QMK. (Please note that the Mac/Windows switch in the keyboard has a 2/2 layer limit. If you are looking for an alternative to Alice’s compatible keycap set, you will need to search a bit. However, the OSA dual virtual keys are great.

Michael Kreider/IDJ

The Keychron Q8 will provide you with a great typing experience. It’s difficult to tell the difference between a high-quality, high-quality board and a more basic model from Logitech or Razer. The keys glide in a satisfying motion, clicking on a base that looks almost like it’s been gently poured into an original mold. I think the best analogy is between driving a low-cost Kia or a new BMW. Both work perfectly, but it is impossible to determine which one. More The car, with many small but obvious ways. It is up to you to decide if it is worth the extra cost.

Justifiable expense

The Keychron Q8 keyboard, like its Q counterparts, is expensive, but it’s an excellent value given its context. Prices start at $175 for those who bring their own keys and keyscaps. The price of the Gateron G Pro version, which includes PBT keycaps, rotary knob, and Gateron G Pro keycaps, goes up to $205. The more expensive version is actually better, as you’ll probably spend twice as much on keycaps. You can get cases in black, blue, or silver with matching keycap colors. Maybe you are. Custom-made Curved Wrist Rest Spring, also $33It is unlikely that you will find anything else that matches the unique geometry on this keyboard.

Michael Kreider/IDJ

Pre-made keyboards that have the Alice layout are also available at a cheaper price. Feker Alice 80 sold on KPRepublicOder the Epomaker Alice. These have a plastic case, lack foam or a mounting sleeve, and rely on unstable proprietary software programming. A small batch can be made of boutique Alice to meet the same quality and specifications as Keychron. Reach the $400 to $500 range. That is assuming that you can secure a spot in the buying group and are willing to wait six or more months for delivery.

Very good, but highly specialized design

Michael Kreider/IDJ

The Keychron Q8’s high quality will appeal to most people, but the Alice’s design won’t. If you’re looking for something “ergo”, and know that slightly curving split keys will suit your typing style perfectly, you can invest with confidence. This is especially true if the layout or physical keyboard you wish to customize. If you require something more traditional, Go with Keychron Q2This layout is very similar to the one shown in Figure 65%, but without a curve.